Frock&Roll (aka My Happy Place)

I’ve not always been into vintage clothing but I have always loved dressing up – even to my lectures during my gruelling PGCE. A fellow student noted this fact and recommended visiting Frock&Roll Vintage in Reading; a dangerous wonderful suggestion.

Roughly a ten minute walk from Reading town centre, Frock&Roll Vintage is located on Watlington Street (near the old part of the Royal Berkshire Hospital). It can be a real jaunt to have travel further afield for quality vintage; the shop’s location is so convenient. I have regularly visited Frock&Roll Vintage since my PGCE in 2011 – it’s my go-to for a good mooch.

These are the reasons why I keep on running back for more:
. Quality clothing (clean, pressed and in good condition)
. Real vintage
. A wide range of eras (from the 20s to the 90s)
. Sizing (a label gives me a rough idea of what I can get into)
. Affordable prices (sale rail items can be as low as £5; evening dresses can go up to £60)
. Weekly picks on Facebook (this can also cause me to buy much more than I need!)
. Great customer service

Ali – the amazing owner!

The shop is run by Ali, who I managed to get a quick interview with:Papow: Where do you source your clothing?Ali: We source from all over: wholesale, house clearances, auctions and anywhere else.P: What make Frock&Roll different from other vintage shops?A: We try to keep our stock varied at reasonable prices – without compromising quality.P: What are your most popular items?A: Younger customers tend to go for casual styles – denim or nineties style items. Other customers go for a mixture, depending on their personal style. Classic fifties and sixties dresses are always popular; they just evoke nostalgia.P: What would you recommend for a first-time customer?A: Look for something that catches your eye and try it on. Don’t close your mind and don’t be daunted.